Kpéléyé mask in bronze on a metal base. - Sénoufo / Senufo - Côte d'Ivoire
03
days
00
hours
25
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02
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Current bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €1 |
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This late-20th-century Sénoufo kpéliyé mask from Côte d’Ivoire is made of African bronze and comes with a metal stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ivory Coast
Senufo / Senufo
Wood
Height: 175mm + 3mm metal base
Width: 115mm
Depth: 35mm
Weight: 225g
Superb small bronze African mask of the Senufo people from Ivory Coast.
This is an African bronze alloy piece made using the lost-wax casting technique, whereas the vast majority of large ritual Dogon or Senufo masks worn during ceremonies are carved in wood.
Meaning: Hybridization and spiritual protection
In Senufo culture, this miniaturized or mid-sized facial mask incorporates precise iconographic codes related to cosmogony and the spirits of the bush:
Anthropomorphic and zoomorphic attributes: The human face is topped with horns (evoking the buffalo or antelope, symbols of strength and a link to the earth) and flanked by geometric protrusions on the sides (often interpreted as stylized ears or hair fins) as well as appendages under the chin.
The carved decor: Geometric motifs and linear scarifications on the forehead and horns recall the identity and initiatory marks of Senufo society.
The summit ring: The presence of a loop or ring at the top of the head clearly indicates that the object was meant to be hung, attached, or worn, rather than fixed onto a full dance costume covering the entire face.
Uses: Poro, divination, and prestige amulets
Because of its material (bronze/brass) and its structure, this object serves functions different from large wooden dance masks:
- Emblem of the Poro secret society: The Poro society governs religious, political, and initiatory life of Senufo men. Metal objects are often symbols of power, rank, or prestige reserved for high-ranking initiates or forgers (who master fire and metal, considered magical).
- Divination object (Sandogo): Diviners of the female Sandogo society (the Sando) frequently use bronze figurines, pendants, and small masks to communicate with the bush spirits (Tugube). The consultant can touch or wear the object to attract protection from spiritual entities.
Domestic or personal protection mask: These metal pieces often served as protective amulets. They could be kept in a family shrine to watch over the home, or worn when traveling to ward off spells and illnesses.
The packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak english
Mask African art Afro‑African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateIvory Coast
Senufo / Senufo
Wood
Height: 175mm + 3mm metal base
Width: 115mm
Depth: 35mm
Weight: 225g
Superb small bronze African mask of the Senufo people from Ivory Coast.
This is an African bronze alloy piece made using the lost-wax casting technique, whereas the vast majority of large ritual Dogon or Senufo masks worn during ceremonies are carved in wood.
Meaning: Hybridization and spiritual protection
In Senufo culture, this miniaturized or mid-sized facial mask incorporates precise iconographic codes related to cosmogony and the spirits of the bush:
Anthropomorphic and zoomorphic attributes: The human face is topped with horns (evoking the buffalo or antelope, symbols of strength and a link to the earth) and flanked by geometric protrusions on the sides (often interpreted as stylized ears or hair fins) as well as appendages under the chin.
The carved decor: Geometric motifs and linear scarifications on the forehead and horns recall the identity and initiatory marks of Senufo society.
The summit ring: The presence of a loop or ring at the top of the head clearly indicates that the object was meant to be hung, attached, or worn, rather than fixed onto a full dance costume covering the entire face.
Uses: Poro, divination, and prestige amulets
Because of its material (bronze/brass) and its structure, this object serves functions different from large wooden dance masks:
- Emblem of the Poro secret society: The Poro society governs religious, political, and initiatory life of Senufo men. Metal objects are often symbols of power, rank, or prestige reserved for high-ranking initiates or forgers (who master fire and metal, considered magical).
- Divination object (Sandogo): Diviners of the female Sandogo society (the Sando) frequently use bronze figurines, pendants, and small masks to communicate with the bush spirits (Tugube). The consultant can touch or wear the object to attract protection from spiritual entities.
Domestic or personal protection mask: These metal pieces often served as protective amulets. They could be kept in a family shrine to watch over the home, or worn when traveling to ward off spells and illnesses.
The packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak english
Mask African art Afro‑African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Kpéléyé mask in bronze on a metal base.
Ethnic group/ culture
Sénoufo / Senufo
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Period
Late 20th century
Material
African bronze
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
